JACKSON, Miss. — A Claiborne County woman has been indicted following an investigation by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) Office of Inspector General into the alleged fraudulent receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
According to MDHS, Kia Mays of Claiborne County was arrested on June 24, 2026, after investigators determined she improperly received $25,124 in SNAP benefits.
The case was referred to the Claiborne County District Attorney’s Office, which secured an indictment on June 9, 2026. Mays was later taken into custody by Claiborne County authorities.
“This is a great example of collaboration between our investigations team, MDHS county offices, District Attorneys, and local law enforcement,” said Sandra Griffith, MDHS Inspector General.
The investigation was conducted by Agent Griffin with the MDHS Office of Inspector General’s Division of Investigation. Established in 2018, the division is responsible for detecting, preventing and deterring fraud, waste and abuse involving public assistance programs. According to MDHS, the division has recovered millions of dollars in SNAP overpayments since its creation.
“This investigation and indictment demonstrate the effectiveness of the safeguards that we have put in place to detect, investigate and prevent fraud,” said Robert G. “Bob” Anderson, Executive Director of MDHS. “Every step we take to prevent fraud ensures that resources and support will continue to reach the Mississippians who need it most.”
MDHS reminded the public that an indictment is only an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The agency encourages anyone who suspects fraud involving public assistance benefits to report it by submitting a Fraud Tip Form online at www.mdhs.ms.gov/report-fraud, calling the MDHS Fraud Tip Line at 1-800-299-6905, or emailing fraud@mdhs.ms.gov
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